Gigasporaceae

Gigasporaceae is a family of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi within the phylum Glomeromycota, order Gigasporales. Members form obligate symbiotic associations with the roots of many terrestrial plants, delivering phosphate and other nutrients in exchange for carbon. The family is defined by morphological and molecular traits that distinguish it from other glomeromycete families; the type genus is Gigaspora.

Fungal spores in this family are among the largest produced by glomeromycetes, often hundreds of micrometers in diameter. They have thick, multilayered walls and distinctive surface ornamentation. The fungi form coenocytic hyphae and colonize root cortical cells to form arbuscules and vesicles essential to nutrient exchange.

Gigasporaceae species occur in a wide range of habitats, from natural to agricultural systems, across global temperate and tropical regions. They partner with a broad spectrum of host plants, including many crops, and can enhance phosphorus uptake, drought tolerance, and soil structure through extensive hyphal networks.

The family comprises several genera, with Gigaspora as the type genus. Taxonomic rearrangements based on molecular data have altered the composition of the family over time, reflecting ongoing efforts to resolve relationships within Glomeromycota.